Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 22:17:29 EDT
From: RitchChristopher@cs.com
Subject: briarwood:unto-the-hills-85
All rights reserved. Copyright held by the author. If you are underage or
are offended by gay fiction, containing graphic sex and explicit language,
please exit now.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
"BRIARWOOD"
Copyright Ritchris, 2005
aka "Whence Cometh My Help"
Copyright Ritchris, 2003
Revised Version
A dramatic saga
by
Ritch Christopher
<><><><><>
BOOK EIGHT
"UNTO THE HILLS"
Chapter-Eighty-five
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You're still the best thing that ever has happened to me...
O.K., the best thing that could ever happen to me...
How could I realize what rich was really?
Ideally, somewhere I should have been told,
'Kid, you've struck gold!'
Things change, as time goes by, you never know when.
The best that happened can happen again.
To think I'd meet someone who could surprise me
And size me up without cutting me down.
With all the best and the worst that have happened to us,
Why not?
We might just may be the best thing that has happened to us,
Why not?
When all is said and done, you happen to be
The best thing ever that's happened to me."
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
(excerpted from the song,
"The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened To Me")
from his musical, "BOUNCE"
copyright 2003.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Saturday morning, Billy came bouncing into the kitchen grinning
like a Cheshire cat. Jay only needed to take one look at Billy to intuit
about Billy's overnight adventure. The toaster shot two Pop Tarts three
inches into the air and Billy grabbed one and took a bite before Jay could
stop him.
"Careful, you'll burn your tongue!" Jay said.
"No, I won't," Billy replied, chipperly, then spit it out the hot
piece of dough immediately, "Oh, oh, oh! Water! Ice! SOLARCAINE!
SOMETHING, QUICK!". Billy stuck out his burnt tongue and waved his hand at
it, then put his head and mouth under the kitchen sink faucet to dowse the
inside of his mouth with cold water.
"I told you so!" Jay smirked.
"Good heavens! I won't be able to taste anything for a week!"
"I sorta doubt that, but speaking of tasting things, how was your
sleepover?" Jay asked with a prying interest.
"Oh, oh, it was all right, I guess." he said, his manner was just a
bit too offhand.
"Where's what's his name, Sammy? Did he leave early?"
"No, he's still asleep in my room."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he didn't get much sleep last night."
"Don't tell me he felt the pea under your mattress?"
"Nobody peed on OR under my mattress."
"Skip it!" Jay laughed. "Oh, by the way, was the watermelon ripe
enough?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."
"I still can't imagine why you didn't want me to chill it? I mean
room temperature water melon right before bedtime can make you sick to your
stomach."
"No, Uncle Jay, it was perfect!" Billy blew on the Pop Tart and
took a second bite.
"I...I can't imagine why you didn't want me to make you and your
friend some snacks or hors d'oervres...just hot watermelon, huh?"
"Yeah, it was great!"
"Should I go up to your room and pick up the rind and seeds?"
"That's OK, Uncle Jay, I'll do it as soon as Sammy wakes up?"
"How about a proper breakfast? If you like, you can go back
upstairs and hop into bed with Sammy and you can buzz me in the kitchen and
I'll serve you both breakfast in bed."
"You...you're so nice!"
"It's not a matter of being nice. I just enjoy having a new
nephew."
"I...I hate to admit it, but my parents or anyone in my family
never treated me the way I'm treated here."
"It's called 'love', my little one. Get used to it! In your Daddy
Cliff's house, everyone is loved and in return, everyone loves everybody."
"I know that I love you and Uncle Troy and as far as my two new
daddies, I really love them more than I did my real parents."
"Now do you want to tell me about your sleepover?"
"Hmm, not really!"
"I'm not being prurient, nor do I want you to describe vivid
details, I. I just need to know that whatever happened between you and
Sammy. well, that you were cautious."
"You mean, 'were we safe'?"
"Precisely."
"Yeah, we were! I promised Daddy Cliff and Daddy Roger that I
would always be safe."
"I'm proud of you, Billy! Come here and let me give you a hug."
Billy walked over to Jay, who put his arms around the young boy and
squeezed him to his chest tightly. "Humph!" Jay uttered loudly. "Billy,
do you feel more grown up? I mean, after last night?"
Billy became embarrassed and blushed, "Yeah, I guess I do."
"Good, now run upstairs and let me know as soon as you're ready for
breakfast."
"I will!" Billy broke Jay's embrace and started out the door, then
he turned and ran back to Jay and quickly kissed him on the cheek.
"Thanks, Uncle Jay," his voice tender with real emotion.
"You're welcome."
Billy ran out of the kitchen and hopped up the stairs three at a
time and went into his room, shutting the door behind him quietly. He took
off the sweat suit he was wearing, leaving only his boxers on, and climbed
into bed along side of Sammy, who suddenly turned over to face Billy while
he looked at him through tired, sleepy eyes.
Billy smiled at Sammy and said, "Good morning".
"Mornin'" Sammy replied. "Jeez, how long have you been awake?"
"About half an hour. I didn't want to disturb you 'cause I didn't
want you to wake up all cranky."
"I'm not cranky. I'm just tired."
"Did you have fun last night?"
"It depends on what you meant by 'fun'?" His face tried to hide a
grin.
"You know."
"You mean, did I enjoy having sex with you? Well, the answer is a
definite, 'yes'!"
"Me, too."
"Wanna do some more stuff?"
"On two conditions. First, you let me go pee, and second, it can't
involve a watermelon!"
"You didn't like that?"
"Yeah, but it got me all sticky."
"I thought I licked all the sticky stuff off."
"That was the best part, only when you got through, I was stickier
with you know what!"
"That was my favorite part," Billy replied, grinning. "Hey, if you
want, while you're peeing, if you want to take a shower, you can wash all
the dried watermelon juice off and we'll start fresh and clean."
"Hmm, why don't you shower with me in case I miss getting it all
off!"
"Okay, you pee and I'll adjust the temperature of the shower."
The two boys jumped out of bed and ran for the bathroom. Sammy was
still naked and Billy removed his boxers. They got into the glass cubicle
together and stood apart to let the water soak their bodies. Billy pumped
liquid soap from the wall dispenser, filling both of his hands and asked
Sammy to turn his back toward him. With long strokes from his neck to his
ankles, Billy painted Sammy's backside with a green perfumed lather.
"Now you do my back!" Billy said to Sammy.
Sammy repeated Billy's action and soon Billy's back was covered
with soap.
"Here's comes the fun part!" Billy exclaimed. "Get your hands full
of soap again and I'll do the same and then turn around."
Four hands were filled with the green cream and they turned to face
one another.
"Wow, you've already got a boner!" Billy said, looking down below
Sammy's waist.
"So do you!"
"Wanna get rid of them?"
"What do you think?"
"Yeah only first I wanna do something."
"What?"
Billy eased his face toward Sammy's and kissed him on the lips.
Sammy looked surprised. "We didn't kiss any last night. Why now?"
"It's just that my new house is filled with love," Billy said,
emulating Jay's remark. "So you'd better get used to it."
"Are we in love now?"
"I guess so. We had sex together. That means something."
"All right, if you love me, then tell me."
"Just like that? You want me to say it out loud to your face?"
"Uh huh."
"OK, I...I love you, Sammy." Billy blushed and Sammy smiled. "Now
it's your turn to say it to me."
"I...I love you, Billy."
"Do you really mean it or did you say it because I did?"
"I guess I meant it."
"Then I guess I meant it too!"
"Shouldn't we kiss again or something?"
"I suppose only this time YOU kiss me."
Sammy leaned forward to return Billy's kiss only he went further
and put his soapy hands around Billy and drew their bodies together. Their
erections jockeyed for position as Billy put his hands and arms around
Sammy's back. It was Sammy who took the initiative to pry his tongue into
Billy's mouth. It was the first French kiss for both of them. The action
seemed brave and daring. Their relationship was budding and opening into a
new dimension. Their lips locked as the kiss became more passionate and
soon their hands were exploring the other's body from front to back as if
they had never touched one another before. Whatever happened last night
between them seemed forgotten by this new experience. The body exploration
had more meaning and a greater sensuality with each grope.
Both their right hands reached the other's penis at almost the same
instant. They reached below to feel the weight of the testicles encased in
their scrotums, then the hands moved back to the protruding shafts and they
slowly began to masturbate the other, never unlocking their lips during the
entirely new experience. It took less than one minute until they both
reached an orgasm. The hot sperm mixed with the green soap in their hands
and they began spreading the liquid compound all over the other's body.
They stood mouth to mouth while the rushing spray of the shower
washed down between their torsos until nothing but clear water was running
off their bodies. They were squeaky clean from head to toe. Only then did
they end the prolonged kiss.
Billy sighed, and Sammy managed to say a quiet, "Wow!"
They pulled their faces back about six inches from the other's and
looked deeply into their partner's eyes.
It was Sammy who spoke first, "I...I guess we ARE in love."
"Yeah, I think so, too."
"Does this mean we're gonna be boyfriends at school?"
"Yeah school, here at my house, at church, when we go to
movies...EVERYWHERE!"
"You...you won't be embarrassed?"
"Nope! You?"
"I don't know if my folks will understand." Sammy said.
"Then you can spend all your free time here at my house."
"Your two dads won't mind?"
"Nope. They'll approve if we want to kiss or hold hands in front
of them. They won't mind us having sex even, so long as it's safe sex."
"Then I guess I'll be spending a lot of time over here!"
"That's what I want you to do."
"So are we boyfriends or lovers like grownups?"
"Both! We can be boyfriends at Briarwood High and lovers when we're
here."
"You think we'll get kidded at school?"
"I don't think so, not as long as Lee Malone is our friend. He
won't let anyone tease us."
"You...you don't have a crush on him or anything? I mean, he's a
senior and good-looking and all."
"Nope, it's YOU and only you!"
"Uh, could we get out of the shower, my hands are getting all
'crinkly'."
"Sure, mine are too."
Billy turned off the shower and reached for two large towels with
one hand and the wall phone by the commode with the other. He held the
receiver to his ear until Jay answered in the kitchen.
"Holiday Inn!" Jay said.
"Uncle Jay, I think we're ready now."
"Your wish is my command, sire! I'll be right up."
"What was all that about?" Sammy asked.
"You'll see. Now hurry and let's get dried and jump into bed."
"Are we gonna have sex again? So soon?"
"Nope! You'll see."
Their bodies were soon dried and they ran like two first-graders at
recess and jumped into the bed. Jay knocked on the door lightly.
"Come in." Billy called.
Jay entered carrying an oversized bed tray filled with every
imaginable breakfast food.
"Good Golly!" Sammy exclaimed, while at the same time pulling up
the covers to make sure his 'privates' weren't on display.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Jay said. "And you must be 'Friend
Sammy'."
"BOY friend Sammy!" Billy corrected Jay.
"Oh, I see, you've gone off and eloped without my even meeting the
groom first?" Jay kidded.
"Sammy, this is my Uncle Jay, the best cook in all of Briarwood."
"I think my culinary skills reach farther than mere Briarwood,
maybe in the whole state or the entire USA."
"I think you're right, Uncle Jay. I'm afraid I underrated your
skills."
The tray was wide enough for Jay to set over both their laps and he
stood back to get a better look at Sammy. Billy noticed Jay and asked,
"Well, what do you think?"
"I must say, he's good looking enough for you. I'd almost say he's
downright handsome."
Sammy realized that Jay's remarks were reflected toward him and he
blushed, "Aw, come on!"
"Uncle Jay's right! You ARE handsome!" Billy echoed.
"Listen, you two! If this relationship's gonna last, you'd better
be honest and faithful to each other because if I hear differently, both of
you are going to have your Uncle Jay to reckon with!"
"Can I call you 'Uncle Jay' too?"
"As long as I'm not in my maid's uniform!"
"What?" Sammy said, looking surprised.
"Uncle Jay is a great kidder, but Uncle Troy, whom you haven't met,
says that Uncle Jay is beautiful dressed in drag."
"Hush, young man, and don't give away all my secrets!" Jay,
quickly added. "Now if either of you wants `seconds', just buzz me in the
kitchen."
"Thanks, Uncle Jay," Billy said.
"Yeah, thanks... Uncle Jay." Sammy added.
Jay did a faux curtsy and left.
"Gee, Billy, is everyone at your house so openly gay?"
"Yep!"
"Boy, are you lucky!"
"I know and you will be too! Let's eat!"
<><><><><><><><><><>
Roger was seated as his desk at Cole. Across from him sat Tom,
still a bit shaky from the tour Troy had given him. Tom had been totally in
control of his emotions during the first part of his walk through the HIV
and AIDS buildings, but when he got a glance at the adolescent wing, it was
too much for him to take. The kids in the wing looked like the children Tom
had seen in old newscasts and documentaries about the orphans left after
the Vietnam War or maybe, the young skinny-boned tots who survived Hitler's
concentration camps after W.W.II.
Rearing back in his desk chair, Roger looked at Tom and said, "So,
Tom, Troy tells me you might want to work at Cole?"
"That was the idea when I left home to come here and talk with
you."
"And now you're not so sure?"
"Mr. Cole, how can a person come here day after day and look at
those kids?"
"Frightening, isn't it?"
"Horrifying!" Tom replied.
"And to think Cole is caring for only a couple of hundred and there
are millions more out there who won't get any care, any medicine or
treatment."
"I thought that the AIDS epidemic had slackened. You never hear
much about it in the news."
"That's the way it was during the 80's. Bill Clinton surfaced the
importance of the disease, but his hands were tied by a Republican
congress, plus a few Democrats who were afraid their constituents wouldn't
reelect them if they showed compassion toward gays."
"But you ARE curing AIDS here at Cole, aren't you?"
"Yes, we've been able to save an indiscriminate few, but even as
large as Cole is, we can't begin to combat the disease as widespread as it
is now. I saw on '60 Minutes' that one in seven policemen are infected with
the HIV virus in India. Just think what the percentage is in the general
population. Countries such as Russia and some parts of China won't
recognize the influx due to their ban on openly gay lifestyle but we
already know that it's reached epidemic proportions in both China AND
Russia. Millions are infected now with no knowledge of what HIV or AIDS is
all about."
"It sounds almost as bad as the bubonic plague in the fourteenth
century."
"It's worse, Tom. Just as you said, you thought it was under
control, that's the same idea most American gays have today. They've
stopped having safe sex. The danger is gone...vanished...kaput! But we're
seeing more cases pop up now than ever before!"
"For any particular reason?"
"I wish I could blame it on conservatism, right-wing, evangelical
conservatism. In their ignorant view, they still think that gay life is a
choice and if that's the way we choose to be, then the punishment fits the
crime, so to speak. Some black Congregationalists get angry when gays refer
to themselves as being discriminated against as the blacks were before JFK
and LBJ. But Congress voted for an equal rights amendment for people of
color and there are no written equal laws for gays. Gays ARE discriminated
against, whether it be for jobs, housing, Medicaid, marriage; we pay higher
taxes than any married couple the same age and financial brackets."
"So what do we do? I've seen the latest polls on TV concerning gay
marriage and it's almost evenly split now, fifty-fifty."
"Strange as it may seem, the gay population isn't creating the
greatest risks in HIV and AIDS management. You saw for yourself in the
juvenile wing. These kids were not products of gay marriages, but young
straight adults. We're not allowed to teach sex education in schools. For a
while, some high schools offered their students free condoms, but that was
nixed by parents who thought the schools were encouraging their kids to
have sex, yet these same kids ARE having sex every chance they get and most
of it is unsafe sex."
"How have times changed since you went to high school, Mr. Cole?"
"You mean back in the dark ages?" Roger chuckled. "Most kids I went
to school with remained virgins until they were married. Occasionally, the
school whore would get pregnant and her parents would send her off to an
aunt and uncle a thousand miles away. Sex wasn't that big a peer
issue. Have you seen any of the preteens wearing the colored plastic
bracelets to signify how far they'll go with a boy or what their preference
is?"
"I'm afraid so. Some of them are nine, ten, and eleven years old."
"Maybe the W.H.O. should change their prediction to one-hundred
million cases in the next ten years. I own a hospital and should be
fearless when it comes to my profession. But, very frankly, Tom, I'm
horrified when I look to the future."
The topic of conversation drew to semi-halt and each of them let
their thoughts overwhelm them. Then Roger's face became more expressive and
said, "I hope what you've seen and heard today doesn't discourage you. I
usually save all my negativism for Cliff, who can elevate my spirits with a
single word or glance."
"No, Mr. Cole, I think I still want to work here in some capacity."
"Then if you're interested, I may have just the job for you and I
think you'll like it. It should be very rewarding. I'll call Chief of
Staff and see what we can arrange for you."
"Fine! Tell me about it if you have the time."
"Tom, I'm not really sure what the community, the state, or the
media says about the funding here at Cole. We get no government grants
whatsoever. Occasionally a family of a patient will donate a gift on
behalf of a loved one or maybe someone will expire and bequeath all or part
of an estate, but on the whole, we are self-sufficient, thanks to my
grandfather who made me his sole heir. Even I don't know the sum of his
estate. Only Walter Clayton, my lawyer, knows that figure. I don't want
to know, I just know that we are financially sound. There is, however, a
private slush fund, which is set aside and has never been touched. I think
maybe it's time, that is, if I can convince you, and if you're willing to
undertake a big task."
"You've got my mouth watering. Your voice sounds exciting."
"You've heard of the 'Make A Wish Foundation'?"
"Yes, it's a charity which tries to grant a big wish for a
terminally ill person, mostly children."
"That's correct. This fund I'm talking about is very similar. I
need some young man to act as Santa Claus. Someone who will visit our
terminally ill young people and see if we can make a few of their dreams
come true. I'm sure many wishes won't require any money at all. But if it
does, that's what this money has been appropriated for."
"Can you give me an example?"
"Well, not all wishes can come true, or so the song says. I'm sure
that many young men would like to see or talk with their parents or loved
ones before they pass on. AIDS, as I said, is very much akin to leprosy
where families of AIDS or HIV victims are concerned. Not only here at Cole,
but across the country or even the world, thousands of moms, dads, sisters,
brothers or friends turn their backs on the afflicted ones. They cast them
out of the fold, throw them aside, and try to pretend the patients no
longer exist. The disease embarrasses the family members. They don't want
anyone to know that Johnny or Susie is gay or has been infected with a
'dirty' disease. Anyone who has ever treated an AIDS patient knows that
over half of the remission process is keeping a positive
attitude...overcoming stress and depression. So, how does Johnny feel when
he finds out he has a possibly terminal ailment and at the same time,
everyone around him walks away or tells him to get out and never come back?
They don't ever want to see him again. The depression alone can stigmatize
a patient to draw his death closer...often times, by suicide."
"You...want me to...to get in touch with families and try to make
reconnect them?"
"Not primarily. I'm afraid that would be virtually impossible in
most cases. Some mothers and fathers will never accept homosexuality even
if it means divorcing themselves from their own offspring. But say, for
example, you get to know Johnny, who's a Cole patient, and you learn that
one thing which would bring happiness to him would be to get a card or
letter from his favorite movie or sport's star. My God, if I were ill and
the hope of getting an autographed photo of Barbra Streisand or Barbara
Cook was possible, my spirits would be lifted ABOVE cloud nine. Can you
imagine going into the adolescent unit with an autographed football or
baseball? Or if you find out that all her life, little Susie wanted a pink
dress and she'd never revealed that to anyone. Can you see what a pink
dress might do for her ego? Some wishes might not be so simple. I remember
a young man who died recently. His last two weeks were spent while wishing
his mom would call him one last time, just to say, `Hello, son'. He never
got his wish. When the charge nurse called his mother to say he was gone,
the mother wouldn't even claim his body for burial. Incidentally, she and
her husband were both radical right-wing Christians who couldn't find it in
their hearts to say a final two words to their one and only son. Do you
think they asked the Lord to forgive them? I suppose their Bible doesn't
include the chapter where Jesus met the prostitute at the well."
"Damn!"
"So you see, you can't grant every wish."
"Maybe not, Mr. Cole, but I could buy a truck load of pink dresses
even if I paid for them from my inheritance."
"No, Tom, I don't want you using your own money. That's what the
fund is for."
Tom's eyes welled up with tears.
"Mr. Cole, how soon do you want me to start?"
"Whenever you're ready."
"How about fifteen minutes from now?"
"Thank you, Tom, and bless you. I'll get Troy to set you up with an
office and any supplies you might need. I suppose you'll need a secretary
and someone to help you organize your volunteers. You'll find a list of
former patients who are all willing to assist you. Some of them are almost
completely cured and they want to help others to feel as they do, if
possible."
"I...I didn't know that this job would materialize, but I think I
know of a young Briarwood High graduate who had his brush with HIV and will
want to help as well."
Roger smiled, "Good thinking, Tom. How IS Mike?"
"I love him more every day. He's the best thing ever in my life!"
"Don't sell yourself short, you're the best thing that ever could
happen to him, also."
"Thanks, Mr. Cole."
"How are your new houseguests?"
"Bright-eyed and in awe of everything they see, like two kids from
the country who came to see the big city for the first time."
"It's great the way you and Mike took them in as 'family'."
"They've become part of our family."
"Yours and Mike's family will grow the same as Cliff's and mine.
Soon you'll have your own branch of Briarwood Boys!"
"Plus two Briarwood Labrador Retrievers!"
Roger chuckled. "Well, son, come by tomorrow morning and begin
setting up your office. Troy will be happy to see you...so will I!"
Tom left Roger's office and both of them felt warm and happy
inside. And safe...something a lot of gays might never feel.
<><><><><><><><><>
One week passed after Ryan's funeral, which also meant Hal had
lived at Kyle's for seven of his trial fourteen days, Nothing more than
mere friendship had developed between the two, except where Petey and Danny
were concerned. Hal was now 'Uncle' Hal, as the two young boys had brought
the stranger with the southern accent into their fold. Hal was more
demonstrative when playing both indoor and outdoor games with the tots. The
little ones had opened up a new world for Hal, video games. Hal was
familiar with arcade games but had never held a joystick in his life. He
was like a big kid, sitting in awe of the reality of c.g.i. weapons and
heroes. In return, Hal had taken the boys on hikes, picnics in the
surrounding woods, played touch football, baseball, and he had become a
master at hide and seek. It was almost like love at first sight.
The boys had been under stress with their Daddy Ryan's illness and
out of respect had chosen quiet games around the house, but now they could
be rowdy, scream, whoop, and holler outside and Kyle was very grateful to
Hal for bringing his two sons out of semi-depression. Occasionally, Kyle
would stand at a window and watch Hal and the kids enjoying life. Hal
proved to be a good companion for them and sometimes Kyle would imagine
that it was Ryan playing roughneck; back from the grave, all well and
continuing his fatherhood as if he'd never become ill. Hal often noticed
Kyle looking at him and often mistook Kyle's glances as desire for him, not
knowing that, all the while, Kyle was actually looking at Ryan. Hal was
afraid to encourage Kyle's looks, so he would raise his hand with a
friendly wave and go back to playing basketball or whatever game was at
hand.
Very early one Friday morning, a tremendous rainstorm hovered over
Briarwood with gigantic bolts of lightning, followed by crashing thunder
and howling winds. Kyle, Hal, and the boys were sleeping in their
respective bedrooms when Hal heard Petey scream and began to cry, Kyle
didn't hear Petey but Hal rushed into the boys bedroom ASAP.
"What's wrong?" Hal asked. He was nude and hadn't bothered to
dress and run to whatever emergency Petey had encountered.
"He's only frightened by the thunder," Danny explained.
Hal ran next to sit on the side of Petey's bed and pulled him into
his chest to hold him. "There, there, big guy! It's only thunder. Uncle
Hal won't let anything harm you." Petey felt safe in Hal's arms but
continued to cry anyway. Hal stroked the back of Petey's head. "Is
anything else wrong?"
Through his tears, Petey managed to utter, "Uh huh."
"What is it, big guy?"
"The rain...it's raining so hard. Do you think Daddy Ryan is
getting wet?"
Hal suddenly understood the boy's concern. "No, no, your Daddy
Ryan is all dry. Remember the...the metal box he was lying in? Well, that
box went into a steel box and it was sealed air tight, and rain, snow, nor
any kind of bad weather can get to him."
"Are you sure?"
"Scout's honor. I wouldn't lie to you, Petey. I won't and I never
will."
"Will you sleep with me?"
"Uh, sure, just let me go to my room and get some pajama bottoms."
"Why? Daddy Kyle and Daddy Ryan don't bother to wear pajamas when
THEY sleep with Danny and me."
"Yeah, but I'm not your daddy. I'm only your uncle and I think I'd
better put something on."
Neither Hal nor the kids had seen Kyle standing in the doorway,
observing Hal comforting Petey.
"It's all right, Hal," they heard Kyle say. "I know that the boys
are perfectly safe. I trust you."
"Oh, Kyle, it's just..."
"Maybe you'd feel better with some clothes on. But since we've all
become accustomed to seeing each other without clothes, it shouldn't matter
if we should sleep the same way."
"Well, okay, if you're sure?"
"I'm totally sure. If the boys feel that close to you, we shouldn't
make an issue out of clothing."
"I'll stay until Petey goes to sleep."
"Fine, but spend the whole night if you feel comfortable."
"Thanks, Kyle."
"No, thank you for making Danny and Petey feel safe and also for
the explanation you gave Petey about Ryan's grave."
Kyle left the room and Hal eased under the covers with Petey's back
to him in a spoon position. Danny had already gone back to sleep in spite
of the noisy storm outside. Holding Petey in his arms made Hal think about
how he used to hold Noah during a storm in Hawthorne. Petey felt safe and
warm and was back to sleep in a very few minutes. Petey smacked his lips
and gave a big sigh and slowly Hal sneaked out of the bed and tiptoed
across the room, closing the door quietly as he left. He started back down
the hall to his bedroom when he met Kyle coming up the stairway with a cup
of cocoa in his hand.
"All quiet on the eastern front?" Kyle asked.
"For the time being anyway," Hal replied.
"Would you like some cocoa or a drink?"
"No, thanks."
"Would you like to come down to my bedroom and chat awhile?"
"If that's what you'd like," Hal said, "only let me put on some
clothes before I come visitin'."
"What's with you and your clothes? The four of us have been
parading naked around each other for a week, so why are you modest at four
in the morning?"
"I shouldn't be, I guess. I mean, you're not a female of course,
that shouldn't matter either. It never did back home."
"Then, if you trust me and trust yourself, come on down the way you
are."
"All right, but it sure feels funny."
Hal followed Kyle down to the end of the hall to Kyle's bedroom.
Hal was surprised to see a small fire burning in the grate of the
fireplace.
"Oh, that's nice," Hal said, pointing toward the fire.
"Ryan and I always liked a small fire when it was raining. It
helped to calm the storm. I've always found an open fire very relaxing.
Of course before Ryan got sick, it was also very romantic."
"Oh, I know," Hal said. "I've made out on a hearth before. One
time, I kept this girl too close to the fire. Well, I kept her on one side
too long and she burned her butt. I had to put that sunburn medicine on
her. I don't think I dated her much after that."
Ryan smiled. "You know, Hal, I love to hear you talk. Your accent
occasionally sounds British, the way you soften your 'r's' at the end of
words; then, the way you southerners describe every detail in every event
that's ever happened to you."
"Heck, down south, we don't leave anything unspoken for guess work.
We don't leave out a thing when we're tellin' somethin'."
Hal was completely relaxed being nude in front of Kyle. He only
got concerned when Kyle's robe parted slightly and he noticed that Kyle was
naked as well.
"Hal, speaking of 'down south'...maybe it's too soon for my asking,
but how do you like Briarwood after living here almost two weeks?"
"I like it here, I REALLY do. You folks seem like southerners;
you're all so friendly and you sorta go out of your way to make me happy."
"I'm glad to hear you say that because I know your losing Noah was
just as painful as my losing Ryan."
"Actually, I think your loss is greater 'cause I only saw that
little bugger when he came home from school. Ryan was with you all the
time."
"But still, you lost the one you loved most, just as I did."
"At least I didn't have to see Noah suffer the way you had to watch
Ryan. Noah was here alive and well one day and gone the next."
"That's the way I want to go 'sometimes there's God, quickly'."
"Pardon?"
"That's a line Blanche Dubois says in Tennessee Williams', 'A
Streetcar Named Desire'."
"Oh, I saw that on TV with Marlon Brando. His sister-in-law was
crazy as a bessie bug."
"Bessie bug? Is that from a movie?"
"Naw, it's something we say down south when someone goes loony. I
guess if I hadn't had Jeff and you this week, I'd be crazy myself."
They paused for a warm smile passing between the two of them.
"I...I've watched you all week playing with Danny and Petey.
They're starting to love you, you know."
"I...I've learned to care for them a lot, too. They remind me of
Noah; two different sides of Noah."
"Have...have you been thinking about my offer to go on the trip
with us?"
"Yeah."
"And...?"
"I still think you could find someone a lot better than me to go
with you."
"Yes, but that 'someone' wouldn't be 'you' in the boys' eyes."
"It's just that...well, I...I don't feel educated enough. I've
never been to any fancy places. If we should go to a restaurant, I
wouldn't know which fork to use or which finger I should hold up in the air
while I'm drinking tea."
"Good heavens, Hal, you make me sound like I'm royalty or
something. You should have seen the home I came from. I wasn't rich until
Roger, Cliff's companion, handed Kyle and me a fortune. I used to do some
things that would make your hair stand on end just to pay for my dinner. I
wasn't from a poor home in the south, but I was poor all the same. The four
of us Briarwood Boys...Jay, Troy, Ryan and myself all had it rough. Before
Roger, Cliff and Walter took us under their wings, separately, we all lived
from hand to mouth, never sure where our next meal was coming from. No,
none of us four was born wealthy. Ryan and I lived with Walter until this
house, next door to him became available. Roger gave Troy and Jay enough
money to buy a big estate anywhere in the world, but Jay will not leave
Cliff and Roger. He loves living with them. Jay would feel empty if he
couldn't act as their manservant."
"Gee, I didn't know. I just thought..."
"Hell, I didn't know a salad fork from a soup spoon when I first
arrived here. I've just had a longer time to learn more than you've have."
"Then you don't think I'd embarrass you?"
"Not at all! To be perfectly frank, I couldn't care less whether
you ever knew which fork to use. I just love the way the kids have taken
to you and the way you treat them. You're wonderful with them!"
"All right, in that case...yes, I'll go with you!"
"That's terrific. The boys will jump for joy when they find out."
"I would hate to see them miss out on the trip you've planned."
"Now they won't have to miss it."
"Kyle, please don't read this the wrong way, but I...I really like
you a lot. Steve was my best friend all my life. You know how the secret
service men say they'd take a bullet for the President? Well, I'd've taken
a bullet for Steve and he'd done the same for me."
"I'm sorry things didn't work out between you two."
"There was nothing to work out. We were as close as two friends
could get. I had no idea he had gay ideas in his head. I don't think I felt
about him that way, but then again, maybe if he'd let me know when we were
fifteen or sixteen...well, who knows what might've happened."
"You mean, you MIGHT have loved him another way under different
circumstances?"
"Kyle, you and Jeff opened my eyes to a lot of things. I mean, down
home, 'queer' was queer. No one was gay, they were queer and we stayed
away from them. I never beat any of 'em up like some guys did at Hawthorne
High. I never hit anyone 'less he hit me first. But, seeing Jeff and you
and the rest of the Briarwood Boys, I feel different. I mean you guys are
REAL people, not freaks of nature. You guys seem to know what love is all
about. I can feel it whenever any two of you are around one another. You
just sorta radiate love when you meet. I've come to feel it myself and I
don't even know all of you that well."
"I already know the answer, but you're handsome, a built hunk of
muscle, any gay guy's dream. Has anyone tried to put the make on you or
try to convert you to our way of thinking?"
"Shoot, no!"
"That's what most straight guys expect us to do."
"Yeah, but none of you have," he realized.
"And never will, Hal."
"Since I moved in here a week ago, I've done a lot of thinking at
night when I go to bed."
"About what?"
"Thinking about how comfortable I feel when I'm around
you. Thinking about Steve and Wade up in New Hampshire and wonderin' what
they do when they go to bed at night. I often wondered how queers made out
in bed and now when I think that's what my best friend is doin' every
night, it doesn't frighten me as much. I guess love is love between two
people, no matter what sex you are."
"You see, you're improving your education already."
"Mind you, I'm still not willing to try it myself, but if...if I
meet some guy in Europe or elsewhere, I might be willing to give him a
second look before I run away or want to hit him."
"You weren't too shy when we hugged in your bedroom, the day Jeff
caught us."
"I know and I've done a bit of thinkin' about that, too."
"And did you reach a conclusion?"
"Sorta. I...I think if maybe we hadn't hugged on the day of Ryan's
funeral, I mean, if we'd met for the first time and you were 'single';
I...I might have gone further only because it was you I hugged. When I held
you in my arms, it didn't matter if you were male or female. You were just
something warm and sad that I wanted to hold."
"You mean like a lost puppy?"
"Exactly!"
"Hal, Jeff has gone back home to Mackintosh; the boys are asleep;
are you brave enough to try another hug?"
"Maybe, if we had clothes on."
:Damn it! What's with you and clothes?"
"At least IF I got excited, I could hide it in my pants."
"Getting excited goes with being a man. If you get excited, so
what? Everyone gets excited; ALL men get excited for different reasons,
most of all at night when they go to bed."
"I suppose."
"So are you man enough to embrace and not be embarrassed if you get
excited?"
"I don't know. I can feel myself getting hard just talkin' about
it."
"Well, you know I'm not going to rape you. You know you're strong
enough to flatten me with one blow if I go too far."
"I'm not worried about you as much as I'm worried about myself."
"Oh?"
"Gosh darn it! I DO feel something for you, Kyle, and it scares
the shit out of me!"
"I'm flattered and I'm pleased, Hal.'
"So if you're serious and willing to take a chance, I am too."
"Stand up."
Both of them arose from their chairs and Kyle unloosened his robe
and let it fall to the floor. Slowly they approached each other until their
arms went around the other's back. Unashamed by their nudity, they embraced
in front of the fireplace. Half of each body glowed from the embers, the
other half in total darkness. Each could feel the heart pounding against
the other's chest. They each pulled back their head to see the other's eyes
and gradually their faces neared...and they kissed.
"Oh, God, I've wanted to do this!" Hal whispered. "It's all I've
thought about every night in bed."
"Me, too, Hal. I've needed someone to hold all week and I wanted it
to be you. Did the kiss make you feel angry or awkward?"
"No, not at all."
Kyle kissed him again. Neither of them was aware of the storm
outside any more.
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(To be continued in "Briarwood"---BOOK EIGHT--chapter-eighty-six)